Monday, 4 a.m.
Perhaps Forrest Whitley will turn out to be an asset for the Tampa Bay Rays’ bullpen eventually.
For now, he is struggling.
Whitley, a right-hander who was once considered the top prospect in the minor leagues, had a rough outing Sunday as the Detroit Tigers ran away from the Rays in a 9-3 victory, when he made his third outing for the Rays since being acquired from Houston. It didn’t go well.
The Rays trailed just 3-1 when Whitley entered the game in the top of the ninth inning Sunday and gave up hits to six consecutive hitters. That led to a six-run inning (before a rain delay) and an ERA of 13.09 for Whitley.
The Rays had two offensive outbursts in their first two games against the Tigers, scoring 22 runs. On Sunday, however, a solo home run by Junior Caminero (his 19th) was the only run the Rays could score in the first eight innings. Taylor Walls had a two-run single in the ninth.
Tampa Bay was one-for-nine with runners in scoring position.
Caminero, Yandy Diaz and Jake Mangum each had two hits.
Zack Littell threw five innings and gave up just one earned run.
The Rays are off today, then travel to Kansas City for a three-game series. Taj Bradley will start for Tampa Bay against Kris Bubic.